DIN Protection Classes
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- Ivy Zhang
- Issue Time
- Jun 18,2022
Summary
There are a total of 7 security levels for paper, each with their respective requirements. To put it simply: the higher the number after the “P“, the finer the paper is shredded by the document shredder. That means that the smaller the particle size or strip width of the shredded paper, the higher the security level and therefore the more difficult it is to reconstruct the information.
There are a total of 7 security levels for paper, each with their respective requirements. To put it simply: the higher the number after the “P“, the finer the paper is shredded by the document shredder. That means that the smaller the particle size or strip width of the shredded paper, the higher the security level and therefore the more difficult it is to reconstruct the information.
Security level P-1
- Suitable for general documentation such as catalogues, brochures
- Strip width max. 12 mm
- Shreds an A4 document into approx. 17.5 strips
- Easily possible to reconstruct the information
Security level P-2
- Suitable for internal information such as old instructions, travel guidelines, notices
- Strip width max. 6 mm
- Shreds an A4 document into approx. 35 strips
- Possible to reconstruct the information with a certain effort
Security level P-3
- Suitable for sensitive and confidential as well as personal data such as turnover analyses, offers with personal address data
- Particle size max. 320 mm²
- Shreds an A4 document into approx. 194 particles
- Data reconstruction only possible with considerable effort
Security level P-4
- Suitable for particularly sensitive and confidential data as well as personal data such as balances, salary statements, personal data, employment contracts
- Particle size max. 160 mm²
- Shreds an A4 document into approx. 389 particles
- Data reconstruction only possible with extraordinary effort
Security level P-5
- Suitable for information of existential importance which has to be kept secret such as medical reports, patents, design documents
- Particle size max. 30 mm²
- Shreds an A4 document into approx. 2.079 particles
- Data reconstruction only possible with an undefined amount of effort
Security level P-6
- Suitable for documents which are to be kept secret and which require extraordinary security precautions, e.g. research and development documents, official areas
- Particle size max. 10 mm²
- Shreds an A4 document into approx. 6.237 particles
- Data reconstruction currently not possible with the available technology
- Security level P-7
- Suitable for documents to be kept top secret with the highest possible security precautions such as secret service or military documents
- Particle size max. 5 mm²
- Shreds an A4 document into approx. 12.747 particles
- Data reconstruction impossible